What is PSHE?
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) is a planned, developmental programme of learning through which young people acquire knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future.
PSHE is a statutory subject at all Key Stages and is taught by your child’s Form Tutor. Discreet PSHE lessons are timetabled once a fortnight but PSHE can also be delivered in assemblies and supported in tutor activities.
RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) is also taught in PSHE. Parents have a right to request that their child is withdrawn from sex education, but not from relationships education and the wider PSHE curriculum.
Please see our separate policy on RSE and guidance on ‘Right to Withdraw’ your child from sex education.
Our Intent
Our PSHE curriculum at Weald equips students to live healthy, safe, responsible and balanced lives. PSHE is designed to empower young people and provide students with the resilience and skills needed to make informed personal decisions about their wellbeing, health, relationships and career aspirations to enable them to lead a happy and successful life.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced, age appropriate and inclusive. Students are encouraged to think hard and participate in a range of learning activities to support their learning.
The PSHE curriculum provides opportunities for students to reflect and clarify their own values and attitudes. Through PSHE students develop empathy and compassion for others.
PSHE lends itself well to our school values of Curiosity, Courage and Compassion through the learning of new aspects of life, the offering their opinions in a safe environment and developing compassion for the perspectives and beliefs of others.
Students also gain knowledge about the laws in the UK and know how to apply this knowledge in their own lives.
PSHE addresses a range of sensitive topics and ensures students feel topics are handled sensitively and inclusively. All PSHE lessons have a safe learning environment with clear rules and expectations and are given opportunities to ask questions safely. Students are encouraged to seek further support and guidance from a range of internal and external sources.
Why is PSHE important?
PSHE education helps pupils to manage many of the most critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up. It is also proven to be a foundation for successful academic attainment.
“Pupils with better health and wellbeing are likely to achieve better academically”
Public Health England, 2014
“A growing body of research shows that pupils who are emotionally equipped do better at school. PSHE education helps children and young people to achieve their potential by supporting their wellbeing and tackling issues that can affect their ability to learn such as anxiety and unhealthy relationships. PSHE education also helps pupils to develop skills and aptitudes-like teamwork, communication and resilience that are crucial to navigating the challenges and opportunities of the modern world and are increasingly valued by employers.”
PSHE Association, 2020
Please find below a link to our current curriculum overview for each year group. Please note that there is a current Government Review of PSHE and when this is published our curriculum will be reviewed.
Please note that on occasion content may be adapted to respond to local/national events as needed.